She climbs trees for her livelihood

P. Vinodhini of Thethagudi near Vedaranyam, a post-graduate, is climbing 40 coconut trees every day.

March 04, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 07:05 am IST - NAGAPATTINAM:

BOLD:A woman is climbing a coconut tree at Thethagudi near Vedarnayam.

BOLD:A woman is climbing a coconut tree at Thethagudi near Vedarnayam.

P. Vinodhini of Thethagudi near Vedaranyam, a post-graduate, is climbing 40 coconut trees every day with an equipment designed by Coconut Development Board, Cochin.

She earns Rs. 1,600 a day by charging Rs. 40 a tree thanks to M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and the board.

“I used to climb only 15 trees a day and earned Rs. 600 a day. But now I could climb 40 trees a day with the help of the tree climbing equipment. It is easy to climb the tree with this unit. Moreover, the board has extended the insurance cover to the tune of Rs. 2 lakhs. I need not pay any premium,” said Vinodhini.

The MSSR Foundation had trained 120 persons including 18 women from Thethagudi, Kariyapattinam and Thanikottakam under a programme to retaining youth in agriculture, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture.

V. Selvam, Director, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, MSSRF, said the aim was to focus on coconut plantation as well as harvesting.

None is willing to climb coconut tree. However the equipment has come as a boon to youths in rural areas as they could earn Rs. 30,000 a month.

Response from the women was notable since 18 women have undergone training for six days, organised by the MSSRF.

The participants were taught on raising coconut plants, harvesting as well as marketing strategy.

The president of Thopputhurai panchayat, P.Giridharan, the president of Farmers Association, T.V.Rajan, R. Jeyakumar and G. Rajavelan, training co-ordinators of MSSRF, attended the valedictory of Friends of Coconut Tree Training organised at Thopputhurai near Vedaranyam on Monday.

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